Sunday Showdown

Well, last sunday April 19, I was able to watch the Flash and the Furious. The Boxing event this Summer to hit the Big Dome Araneta Coliseum featuring Nonito "The Pinoy Flash" Donaire IBF Flyweight Champ facing Mexico's Raul Martinez and Brian "The Hawaiian Punch" Villoria returned to form to win his Championship Belt back IBF Lightweight Crown versus Ulises Solis.

My dad was able to score some free tickets for the event and boy we had to wake up early for that one. Oh,yeah. It had a different feel of watching it live minus the commentaries from Quinito Henson and Chino Trinidad. Otherwise I would have to wait for the delayed telecast at 1PM that day.

From the ring announcers introduction to the round girls intermissions it was electrifying to hear the crowd react to whats happening in the ring. The moment when the national anthem was sung by the lead vocalist of Six Cycle Mind Ney Maculangan if I'm not mistakened. The adrenaline was pumping from everyone watching, Pinoy Pride and Glory and once again our nemesis the Mexicans.

We were able to catch Denver Cuello's fight which he won against a Japanese or Chinese fighter they look the same. It had a little dose of comic relief as his opponent keeps on hugging him during the match. And the referee pushed aside the Japanese almost throwing him out of the ring everyone was getting cracked up.

If Brian Viloria is just 5'4" these guys are probably an inch or 2 smaller and a few more pounds lighter. They sometimes look like toys against the towering foreign referees.

Also some celebrities were able to capture the limelight once again like Former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada when he arrived everyone was shouting "Erap,Erap,Erap!" until he reached his seat together with his entourage near ringside.

Then it was Brian's match against Ulises he was able to open a cut on the Mexican's eye and 11 rounds later the knockdown. Ending the Filipino executioner's reign and the streak.

And the Main Event, Nonito Donaire VS Raul Martinez. This one was short and sweet. He was able to get some knockdowns as early as the first round, 2 to be exact. And then finish it off in the fourth.

Just goes to show that Filipinos are natural born fighters, we are survivors. We have survived typhoons, martial laws, coups, inflation and what more of a recession. Yet we still enjoy the things we love to do like goin out on weekends with your family and friends.

I believe that we should focus more on sports that does'nt require height as much in order for us to be competitive. Like boxing, soccer we are good runners as well, and the list goes on. Given enough training Filipinos are world class boxers soon as Manny Pacquiao retires there is another one coming out soon.

Congratulations to Nonito and Brian! Mabuhay kayo. You give everyone inspiration to keep fighting no matter the odds.